Sixth disability sports fest opened with expanded programmes

Muscat, Dec 1

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MoCSY) inaugurated on Monday evening the sixth edition of the Festival for Persons with Disabilities, which will run for three days at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher. The opening ceremony was held under the auspices of Dr Rahma bint Ibrahim al Mahrouqiyah, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, in the presence of several dignitaries, invitees and media representatives.

This year’s edition features a wide range of sports competitions and cultural activities designed to empower persons with disabilities and enhance their participation across various fields.

The ceremony began with a speech delivered by Saud bin Badr Ambusaidi, Assistant Director-General for Sports Activities at the Ministry and Chairman of the Festival’s Main Organising Committee. He affirmed that the annual event has become a national platform that embraces creativity and willpower, reflecting Oman’s firm commitment to human development without exception. He added that each year, Oman opens new windows of hope and presents a civilised model that views challenges not as obstacles but as catalysts for achievement.

Ambusaidi noted that the festival is not merely a sports or entertainment event, but rather a national message aligned with the goals of Oman Vision 2040, which emphasises the inclusion of all members of society in the nation’s development journey. He explained that this year’s edition is more comprehensive and diverse in terms of activities and training programmes, meeting the aspirations of participants across different disability categories.

He added that the festival’s activities held over three days at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex reveal exceptional talents and inspiring stories that dissolve barriers and showcase participants’ abilities. He emphasised that the festival is a key platform for talent discovery and for supporting the national Paralympic teams, in addition to strengthening partnerships between government institutions, the private sector, and civil society to support training and rehabilitation programmes.

Ambusaidi further stated that organising the festival aligns with the national sports strategy, which aims to increase physical activity among persons with disabilities for recreation, health, and competitive purposes, in line with Oman Vision 2040’s goals of building an aware, cohesive, and socially and economically empowered society especially women, youth, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable groups. He pointed to the committee’s early preparation efforts to ensure that this edition is more inclusive and responsive to the needs of the participants.

He highlighted that the festival, which began in 2008 with 1,300 participants, has grown significantly over the years, reaching over 3,316 participants in the 2024 edition — an indication of its success and its ability to attract new segments of persons with disabilities and specialists. He added that the festival has established itself as an annual event eagerly anticipated for its human values and messages of integration, empowerment and participation. He concluded by affirming that disability is not the absence of ability, but rather a powerful presence of willpower.

3 SPECIALISED TRAINING WORKSHOPS

In parallel with the festival, three specialised training workshops on officiating in Paralympic and Special Olympics sports concluded with strong participation from Omani youth aspiring to specialise in this field, and in the presence of a group of international experts and specialists. These workshops served as an important learning platform that helped develop participants’ skills and deepen their understanding of the role of officiating in supporting and empowering athletes with disabilities.

The workshops held at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex were more organised and comprehensive this year and covered three sports: boccia, table tennis (Special Olympics), and para-badminton. This came as part of the festival committee’s efforts to qualify competent national referees capable of raising the level of local and international competitions, in line with the Ministry’s plans to enhance local expertise and readiness.

PARA-BADMINTON WORKSHOP

Presented by Egyptian instructor Tarek Fawzi Abdulaziz, the workshop covered the rules of the game, officiating mechanisms, and practical field applications related to court preparation and match management. Participants also took a written assessment to evaluate their readiness. The workshop targeted those working in training and officiating for athletes with mobility impairments, as well as physical education students and school sports teachers.

A table tennis special Olympics workshop focused on the fundamentals of officiating and the essential skills required to manage competitions. It was delivered by specialised instructors aiming to prepare qualified referees for a sport that requires precise organisation and clear regulation.

Led by international referee Dr Wissam al Jumaili, a workshop on boccia saw broad participation from specialists and teachers. It covered the latest updates to the sport’s regulations, equipment inspection methods, and full simulations of call-room procedures and on-court applications. The goal was to build a national base of qualified referees and to expand the sport’s presence in social care centres.